NORTH PORT, FL -- Back in Fort Myers, Chris Sale threw to hitters for the first time since last July, when he a comebacker broke his pinkie finger and ended his season.
The occasion was momentous enough for Sale to have his wife and kids on hand to watch.
"For me, it was a big deal,'' Sale told reporters. "I know that this kind of stuff happens every day. But I'm more appreciative of opportunities and the last time I faced a hitter, it wasn't a lot of fun. So today was a big day for me because it's one more step in the right direction. Weekend, kids are out of school, it was fun to have them up here and be a part of it.
"I got some work in today. Like I said, step in the right direction and like I said, excited about the opportunity.''
Sale was overall pleased with the qualify of his stuff. For a brief period he fell out of his delivery.
"There were four pitches in a row that were just kind of off,'' he said. "After that, I regrouped, got it together, finished strong. Overall, it was a good day of work.''
He identified his fastball command the shape of his breaking ball as things that he found most encouraging.
"Really, all I'm working on repetitions, consistency and just staying on top of things I have to stay on top of,'' said Sale in identifying his priorities.
Asked about his velocity, he smiled and shrugged and said he didn't know how hard he was throwing and didn't particularly care. The implication was the velo will be there when he's ready to cut loose.
Next for Sale: a two-inning live BP on Thursday, followed five days later by his first Grapefruit League start.
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Cora was also highly impressed with the live BP thrown by Tanner Houck.
"Tanner was outstanding,'' said Cora. "He looks 100 percent healthy, the way he's moving. I haven't talked to him about how tough it was to pitch last year or how honest he was (about how much it affected him). But you can see the way he's moving. It's night and day compared to last year. He's on point.''
Houck is far more comfortable throwing his splitter this year and it's becoming more of a weapon.
"The only thing he has to do is throw strikes early in the count,'' said Cora. "When he's ahead in the count, he puts people away. Let's get to two strikes as soon as possible and just bury guys.''
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Former second-round pick Matthew Lugo has gotten lost in the shuffle somewhat, especially with the Sox taking two others shortstops in recent drafts -- Marcelo Mayer and Mikey Romero.
But Cora likes what he's seen this spring.
"Offensively, everybody feels like last year he got it (at High A Greenville with an .844 OPS and 18 homers),'' said Cora. "He actually finished strong, playing winter ball. Versatile, he understands the game. It runs in the family (as a nephew of Carlos Beltran). He's been working hard for this opportunity. We'll see how it goes.''
Lugo, a natural shortstop, played third against the Braves.